The Courier Advertising Policy

Advertisers: Advertisers of dogs and/or kennels must be current PWDCA members in good standing.

Advertising: Advertising is open to all Portuguese Water Dogs. Submissions for advertising must include AKC numbers on all dogs advertised and be included in the ad copy.

Verification of Health Test Results: Health test results must be entered on the Advertising Order Form. Health test results, for breeding advertisements, will be verified in the PWDCA Health & Litter Database or the OFA website and must be current at the time of submission. Only documentation of health test results not reported in either of those sources must accompany the ad submission. CHIC Cleared by Parentage (CBP) certificates for PRA, EOPRA, GM-1, or JDCM will be accepted as documentation in lieu of certificates of test results. All health testing results, which includes any breeding related advertisements, will be listed in a table within the Courier. For Stud Dog Directory Gallery advertisements, health test results will show in the gallery advertisement.

All other advertisements, which include intact dogs, will be considered congratulatory in nature.

The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America strongly recommends that dogs being used for breeding and must be included for breeding related ads:

have an OFA#;

have a current CAER# up to 120 months of age, or a final CERF#, ECR# or CAER# assigned from a normal exam performed after the dog has reached 120 months of age; (Note: A dog rated OptiGen “C” or “C1” or “Affected” can be featured in a breeding-related ad provided it has a current CERF/ECR/CAER exam form with a sole diagnosis of PRA as the reason for failure);

either be OptiGen tested for prcd PRA or have a CBP certificate; and

either be tested for JDCM or have a CBP certificate.

either be tested for GM-1 or have a CBP certificate.

either be tested for EOPRA or have a CBP certificate.

When advertising the frozen semen of a deceased dog, health certifications must have been in accordance with the PWDCA breeding-related advertising policy in effect at the time of the dog’s death.

All Other Advertising: The PWDCA requires owners to fully disclose all health testing that has been done on PWDs being advertised. The wording “Not Tested” can be used for dogs advertised in non-breeding ads. Health statements are not required in memorial ads nor in ads for PWDs listed as spayed or neutered; however, they are encouraged. Health information must be stated using the wording choices below.

Truth In Advertising: Advertisers warrant the truth and accuracy of materials submitted to the Editor. Challenges to claims in Courier ads must be submitted in writing to the PWDCA Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the complaint to the PWDCA Board of Directors and The Courier Editor. The Editor shall notify the advertiser that a challenge has been received. Upon notification of a challenge by the Recording Secretary, the advertiser will have 30 days in which to submit a response. The PWDCA Board of Directors then will decide the merits of the challenge and notify all parties of its decision.

If an advertiser is found to have provided false information or claims, a notice will be published in The Courier and the advertiser will be suspended from advertising for one year, and the Board will include the case and its findings in the Board meeting minutes.